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Harris trial hears assault allegations

Julian Drape, AAP London Correspondent

Veteran entertainer Rolf Harris watched intently from behind a glass-walled dock in a London court as details of the 12 indecent assault charges against him were read out to a jury for the first time.

The 84-year-old, who appeared in the Southwark Crown Court dressed in a light blue suit, pink shirt and red tie, is accused of indecently assaulting four girls, one as young as seven or eight, in the UK over a period of almost 20 years.

The first count dates back to 1968. It is alleged Harris touched a girl aged seven or eight on her vagina.

The court heard in the mid-1970s it's alleged he touched another victim aged 14 "by rubbing her buttocks".

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Another victim was aged between 12 and 15 in the late 1970s and early 1980s when Harris allegedly digitally penetrated her vagina on more than one occasion and twice performed oral sex on her.

In 1984, when the complainant was 19, it's alleged Harris indecently assaulted her "by touching her breasts and vagina".

The final victim was aged 14 when she was allegedly assaulted in May 1986. Harris touched her leg, vagina and breasts as well as digitally penetrating her vagina, the court heard.

The jury was told Harris had previously pleaded not guilty to all 12 counts.

Earlier, Harris had arrived at court once again accompanied by his wife, Alwen, daughter Bindi, and niece Jenny.

They were protected by private security guards.

Asked by AAP how he was feeling Harris simply said: "Good."

The man who gave the world the wobble board listened to Thursday's proceedings with the aid of a hearing loop.

At one stage during a break in proceedings he paced up and down inside the dock.

Justice Nigel Sweeney told the jury, comprising six men and six women, that it was their job to reach true verdicts.

"It is your duty to try the case on the evidence you hear in the courtroom and nowhere else," Justice Sweeney said.

The judge said the jury shouldn't be influenced by any external matters including any media reporting about the case.